Adjunct Faculty - Writing Workshop Embodied Poetics

Naropa University • Boulder, CO

23h • Remote

About The Position

The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics seeks a talented adjunct faculty member to teach WRI-449E-A: Embodied Poetics during the Fall 2026 semester. This undergraduate online creative writing course introduces students to the creative, critical, and contemplative foundations of writing through somatic inquiry. Working across poetry, prose, multigenre writing, literary criticism, and interdisciplinary practices, students explore how embodiment shapes language, perception, imagination, and artistic expression. The instructor will guide students in developing original creative work while cultivating an understanding of writing as both an aesthetic practice and a mode of embodied inquiry. Working within a discussion- and project-based learning environment, the instructor will support students in the development of original writing projects grounded in somatic experimentation, close reading, and reflective practice. Particular emphasis is placed on writing that demonstrates artistic rigor, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement with questions of consciousness, identity, ecology, and the lived experience of the body.

Requirements

• Terminal degree (MFA, PhD, or equivalent professional experience) in Creative Writing, Literature, Poetics, Performance Studies, Interdisciplinary Arts, Somatic Studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated record of creative, scholarly, or professional work in creative writing, literary arts, interdisciplinary arts, or related disciplines.
• College-level teaching experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary creative writing pedagogy, literary studies, and workshop practices.
• Experience facilitating creative writing workshops and mentoring student writers.
• Experience teaching in online learning environments or familiarity with online instructional practices.
• All job candidates must hold a commitment to co-create a diverse and inclusive community and actively participate in related JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) professional development regarding the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact these have in the workplace.
• All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
• All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated expertise in contemplative education and pedagogy.
• Experience teaching creative writing, poetics, literary studies, or interdisciplinary arts.
• Active creative practice as a poet, writer, scholar, performer, or interdisciplinary artist.
• Familiarity with somatic studies, embodied cognition, contemplative practice, or performance-based approaches to writing.
• Experience facilitating online writing workshops and mentoring undergraduate writers.
• Interest in the intersections of writing, embodiment, consciousness, ecology, performance, and interdisciplinary creative practice.

Responsibilities

• Develop a rigorous and coherent syllabus with a full semester-long arc.
• Teach and facilitate all scheduled online course activities and discussions.
• Introduce students to the creative, critical, and contemplative foundations of embodied writing practice.
• Guide students through a range of somatic writing experiments and creative projects in poetry, prose, and multigenre forms.
• Facilitate close reading and discussion of literary, theoretical, and interdisciplinary texts.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive online workshop environment that encourages creative risk-taking, thoughtful dialogue, and constructive peer feedback.
• Support students in developing original creative work that demonstrates artistic growth and critical engagement.
• Provide timely written and verbal feedback on student writing throughout the semester.
• Assess student work and submit grades in accordance with university policies.
• Maintain regular communication with students and respond to questions in a timely manner.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• FSA
• HSA
• employer-paid short-term and long-term disability
• employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching
• variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans
• sick leave benefits
• vacation and personal time
• generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members
• participation in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level